"Again, I am only half serious" (said two times...)
Why say that at all? Is it a way to fend off ridicule? Or does this show a lack of confidence in the idea and what you are saying?
Reminds me of comments that start "Am I the only one who thinks that..."
I've gotten out of the habit of apologizing for things that I say or prefacing them with phrases such as that. The reason is that I found that it was a lazy way to not give as much thought to what I was saying and whether I needed to vet my thoughts more.
As someone who prefaces comments with similar things, I don't think it's unreasonable. Sometimes we know ideas are a bit of a cludge (Thinking back to the first time I did an IP over DNS tunnel) but it's still fun and interesting; but that doesn't stop some people jumping down your throat if they think you're suggesting it in earnest. Twice, maybe much? But the sentiment itself, I can see where it's coming from.
Wanted to add that what you said above such as "this maybe a bit of a cludge" seems better than "only half serious" as a preface because you are acknowledging the possible problem in the idea procactively if you want to call it that.
Why say that at all? Is it a way to fend off ridicule? Or does this show a lack of confidence in the idea and what you are saying?
Reminds me of comments that start "Am I the only one who thinks that..."
I've gotten out of the habit of apologizing for things that I say or prefacing them with phrases such as that. The reason is that I found that it was a lazy way to not give as much thought to what I was saying and whether I needed to vet my thoughts more.